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Are you considering a grammar school for your child?
There are over 160 grammar schools in the UK, with some counties more densely populated with grammar schools than others (Kent alone is home to nearly 40!).
If you're looking to compare grammar schools in your area, it can be difficult to know where to start. We've done the research for you and collated information about the best grammar schools in the UK. Find out which 100 grammar schools have topped the league tables for 2024 and learn how to apply for a place.
What is a grammar school?
A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that accepts pupils based on their academic ability. Children take an entrance exam known as the 11 plus when they are in Year 6. The children with the highest scores are then eligible for a place at the school in Year 7.
Unlike private schools, grammar schools are state-funded – so there's no cost for parents. Most grammar schools provide high-quality teaching in a range of subjects and offer a great range of facilities for extracurricular activities, such as music and sport.
Getting into a grammar school is meant to be challenging, so competition can be high – particularly in more densely-populated areas such as London.
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The 100 best grammar schools in the UK in 2025
The list below ranks grammar schools based on their A level and GCSE results in 2024. This information was published by the Sunday Times in December 2024.
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| Rank | School | County | Entry gender | A levels (% A*–B) | GCSEs (% 9–7) | 11+ exam type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Henrietta Barnett School | London | Girls | 95.2% | 96.9% | GL Assessment (first stage), school's own (second stage) |
| 2 | Queen Elizabeth's School | London | Boys | 95.2% | 96.9% | GL Assessment |
| 3 | Wilson's School | London | Boys | 93.6% | 94.6% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| 4 | St Olave's Grammar School | London | Boys | 93.4% | 95.1% | School's own two-stage exam |
| 5 | Pate's Grammar School | Gloucestershire | Co-ed | 92.3% | 91.9% | Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 6 | The Tiffin Girls' School | London | Girls | 90.7% | 94.1% | GL Assessment (stage 1), school's own (stage 2) |
| 7 | Colchester Royal Grammar School | Essex | Boys | 92.2% | 90.2% | CSSE |
| 8 | Altrincham Grammar School for Girls | Greater Manchester | Girls | 89% | 90.4% | Trafford Consortium 11 Plus |
| 9 | King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | Essex | Boys | 89.1% | 89.7% | CSSE |
| 10 | King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls | Birmingham | Girls | 89.8% | 88% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 11 | King Edward VI School, Stratford | Warwickshire | Boys | 90.1% | 86.3% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 12 | Reading School | Berkshire | Boys | 90% | 85.7% | FSCE |
| 13 | Tiffin School | London | Boys | 92.6% | 78.1% | GL Assessment (stage 1), school's own (stage 2) |
| 14 | Dartford Grammar School | Kent | Boys | 91.9% | 77.9% | Kent Test |
| 15 | Tonbridge Grammar School | Kent | Girls | 90% | 81.7% | Kent Test |
| 16 | St Michael's Catholic Grammar School | London | Girls | 88.2% | 84.1% | GL Assessment |
| 17 | The Latymer School | London | Co-ed | 86.6% | 86% | GL Assessment and school's own |
| 18 | Stratford Girls' Grammar School | Warwickshire | Girls | 86.7% | 85.7% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 19 | Colyton Grammar School | Devon | Co-ed | 86.2% | 85.3% | FSCE |
| 20 | Chelmsford County High School for Girls | Essex | Girls | 84.5% | 85.3% | FSCE |
| 21 | King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys | Birmingham | Boys | 82.9% | 87.4% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 22 | Newstead Wood School | London | Girls | 84.6% | 83.7% | GL Assessment |
| 23 | Loreto Grammar School | Greater Manchester | Girls | 87.4% | 76.5% | GL Assessment and school's own |
| 24 | Altrincham Grammar School for Boys | Greater Manchester | Boys | 84.8% | 81.5% | Trafford Consortium 11 Plus |
| 25 | The Judd School | Kent | Boys | 83.2% | 82.2% | Kent Test |
| 26 | Wallington County Grammar School | London | Boys | 86.9% | 73.7% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| 27 | Kendrick School | Berkshire | Girls | 79% | 89.3% | GL Assessment |
| 28 | Chesham Grammar School | Buckinghamshire | Co-ed | 86.1% | 75.1% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 29 | Sutton Grammar School | London | Boys | 80.8% | 85.2% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| 30 | Langley Grammar School | Berkshire | Co-ed | 85.5% | 75.1% | Slough Consortium 11 Plus |
| 31 | Friends' School Lisburn | Belfast | Co-ed | 85.1% | 75.5% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 32 | Dr Challoner's Grammar School | Buckinghamshire | Boys | 85.4% | 74.6% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 33 | Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School | Belfast | Co-ed | 86.1% | 72.4% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 34 | Strathearn School | Belfast | Girls | 85.8% | 73% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 35 | King Edward VI Five Ways School | Birmingham | Co-ed | 84% | 76% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 36 | The Liverpool Blue Coat School | Merseyside | Co-ed | 81.5% | 80.5% | School's own |
| 37 | Dr Challoner's High School | Buckinghamshire | Girls | 82% | 76.9% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 38 | Wallington High School for Girls | London | Girls | 79.9% | 81.1% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| 39 | Westcliff High School for Boys | Essex | Boys | 83% | 74.9% | CSSE |
| 40 | Our Lady and St Patrick's College, Knock | Belfast | Co-ed | 84.7% | 69.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 41 | Bishop Vesey's Grammar School | West Midlands | Boys | 81.6% | 73.2% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 42 | Nonsuch High School for Girls | London | Girls | 76.2% | 83.8% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| 43 | Sir Thomas Rich's School | Gloucestershire | Boys | 79.9% | 76% | Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 44 | Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls | West Midlands | Girls | 73.5% | 86.6% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 45 | Bexley Grammar School | London | Co-ed | 82.2% | 68.6% | Bexley Selection Test |
| 46 | The Skinners' School | Kent | Boys | 83.1% | 66% | Kent Test |
| 47 | Sale Grammar School | Greater Manchester | Co-ed | 79.5% | 73% | Trafford 11 Plus Consortium |
| 48 | The Rochester Grammar School | Kent | Girls | 84.1% | 62.5% | Medway Test |
| 49 | St Dominic's Grammar School for Girls | Belfast | Girls | 83% | 64.5% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 50 | St Louis Grammar School | County Antrim | Co-ed | 85% | 60% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 51 | Rathmore Grammar School | Belfast | Co-ed | 82.5% | 64.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 52 | St Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt | County Londonderry | Co-ed | 83.2% | 63.3% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 53 | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | Buckinghamshire | Co-ed | 79.3% | 70.8% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 54 | Southend High School for Boys | Essex | Boys | 78.2% | 72.3% | CSSE |
| 55 | Lumen Christi College | County Londonderry | Co-ed | 80.7% | 66.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 56 | Beaconsfield High School | Buckinghamshire | Girls | 77.4% | 72.9% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 57 | Southend High School for Girls | Essex | Girls | 76.5% | 74.1% | CSSE |
| 58 | The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe | Buckinghamshire | Boys | 77.4% | 71.9% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 59 | Newport Girls' High School | Shropshire | Girls | 77.7% | 71.3% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 60 | Lawrence Sheriff School | Warwickshire | Boys | 76.1% | 73.7% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 61 | Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School | Kent | Girls | 81.5% | 62.7% | Kent Test |
| 62 | Woodford County High School | London | Girls | 74% | 77% | Redbridge 11 Plus |
| 63 | Sullivan Upper School | County Down | Co-ed | 74.5% | 75.1% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 64 | Wolverhampton Girls' High School | West Midlands | Girls | 75.5% | 70.9% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 65 | Stroud High School | Gloucestershire | Girls | 73.8% | 73.5% | Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 66 | Westcliff High School for Girls | Essex | Girls | 74.3% | 71.8% | CSSE |
| 67 | Aylesbury Grammar School | Buckinghamshire | Boys | 75.8% | 67.8% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 68 | Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School | London | Co-ed | 72.8% | 73.4% | Bexley Selection Test |
| 69 | Dartford Grammar School for Girls | Kent | Girls | 73% | 72.3% | Kent Test |
| 70 | King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls | Birmingham | Girls | 71% | 75.9% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 71 | Denmark Road High School | Gloucestershire | Girls | 69.5% | 77.5% | Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 72 | Townley Grammar School | London | Girls | 71.9% | 72% | Bexley Selection Test |
| 73 | Ballymena Academy | County Antrim | Co-ed | 76.8% | 62% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 74 | Heckmondwike Grammar School | West Yorkshire | Co-ed | 68.5% | 78.4% | FSCE |
| 75 | Lancaster Girls' Grammar School | Lancashire | Girls | 73.9% | 66.8% | GL Assessment |
| 76 | Wycombe High School | Buckinghamshire | Girls | 71% | 72% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 77 | Devonport High School for Girls | Devon | Girls | 71.3% | 71.1% | GL Assessment |
| 78 | Bishop Wordsworth's School | Wiltshire | Boys | 74.9% | 63.4% | GL Assessment |
| 79 | Alcester Grammar School | Warwickshire | Co-ed | 73% | 67% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 80 | Bournemouth School for Girls | Dorset | Girls | 74.5% | 64% | Dorset Consortium 11 Plus |
| 81 | Aylesbury High School | Buckinghamshire | Girls | 70% | 72.6% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 82 | John Hampden Grammar School | Buckinghamshire | Boys | 72.9% | 66.5% | Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test |
| 83 | St Ambrose College | Greater Manchester | Boys | 72% | 68.1% | GL Assessment and school's own |
| 84 | The King's School, Grantham | Lincolnshire | Boys | 78.1% | 55.8% | Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 Plus |
| 85 | Haberdashers' Adams | Shropshire | Boys | 75% | 61% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 86 | South Wilts Grammar School | Wiltshire | Girls | 69.2% | 72% | GL Assessment |
| 87 | Belfast Royal Academy | Belfast | Co-ed | 75.8% | 57.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 88 | Colchester County High School for Girls | Essex | Girls | 61.6% | 86.2% | CSSE |
| 89 | Torquay Girls' Grammar School | Devon | Girls | 75% | 58.7% | GL Assessment |
| 90 | Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School | Kent | Boys | 76.6% | 55.3% | Medway Test |
| 91 | Urmston Grammar School | Greater Manchester | Co-ed | 67% | 73% | Trafford Consortium 11 Plus |
| 92 | St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School | Berkshire | Co-ed | 67.4% | 71.9% | Slough Consortium 11 Plus |
| 93 | Caistor Grammar School | Lincolnshire | Co-ed | 73.3% | 58.7% | School's own |
| 94 | Carrickfergus Grammar School | County Antrim | Co-ed | 76.2% | 51.6% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 95 | Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt | County Londonderry | Co-ed | 69.9% | 63.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 96 | Rugby High School | Warwickshire | Girls | 64.9% | 72.5% | West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test |
| 97 | Invicta Grammar School | Kent | Girls | 69.7% | 62.3% | Kent Test |
| 98 | Omagh Academy | County Tyrone | Co-ed | 73.4% | 54.8% | Schools' Entrance Assessment Group |
| 99 | Herschel Grammar School | Berkshire | Co-ed | 66.1% | 69% | Slough Consortium 11 Plus |
| 100 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School | Lancashire | Boys | 69.6% | 61.8% | GL Assessment |
Find grammar schools near you
The top 10 grammar schools in the UK in 2025
1. The Henrietta Barnett School
© en.wikipedia.org
The Henrietta Barnett School is an all-girls grammar school with academy status in Hampstead Garden Suburb, North London. It was founded in 1911 by Dame Henrietta Barnett, who wished to improve girls' education based on their natural ability rather than family finances.
Henrietta Barnett has been ranked the best girls' grammar school on several occasions, topping the state schools league table for its outstanding academic results (consistently well above the national average). Girls leave Henrietta Barnett for prestigious university destinations including Oxbridge, UCL, King's College London and LSE.
The Henrietta Barnett School was awarded the title 'State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025' by The Times.
Entry to The Henrietta Barnett School
Girls hoping to secure a Year 7 place at The Henrietta Barnett School take a two-stage 11 plus test. The first test involves verbal and numerical ability papers, after which shortlisted candidates take English and maths tests set by the school.
2. QE Barnet
© telegraph.co.uk
QE Barnet (Queen Elizabeth's School) is a boys' London grammar school founded by royal charter in 1573 in Barnet, North London. Students are referred to locally as Elizabethans.
QE Barnet offers an intellectually rigorous academic programme to its students. Boys study traditional and modern subjects alongside enrichment opportunities, which includes lectures from notable guests and 'symposia' – collaborative research events in partnership with academically-strong girls' schools in the area.
Entry to QE Barnet
Applicants to Queen Elizabeth's School sit the 11 plus exam in September of Year 6. Candidates take written papers in English and maths.
3. Wilson's School
© yourlocalguardian.co.uk
Wilson's School is an all-boys grammar school with academy status in Sutton, southwest London. It was originally founded by royal charter in Camberwell (South London) in 1615, making it one of the oldest state schools in England. Wilson's School was named 'London Secondary School of the Decade' by the Sunday Times in 2020.
Students at Wilson's School study a wide range of subjects alongside an enrichment programme which aims to widen each boy's personal development. Named 'The Elizabethan', the programme has three strands – political, cultural and public speaking – and prepares students for life in modern Britain.
Entry to Wilson's School
Boys hoping to secure a place in Year 7 will need to take the 11 plus entrance exam while in Year 6. As a Sutton grammar school, Wilson's School uses the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET), after which shortlisted pupils take the school's own English and maths papers.
4. St Olave's Grammar School
© tes.com
St Olave's Grammar School is a selective state school for boys with a mixed sixth form in Orpington, southeast London. It was founded by royal charter in 1571 and is a beneficiary of the St Olave's and St Saviour's Schools Foundation.
'Olavians' (the name given to pupils at St Olave's) have high aspirations and leave the school for prestigious universities in the UK and beyond. Many Olavians go on to Oxford and Cambridge universities, with engineering and medicine popular degree options.
Entry to St Olave's Grammar School
Boys applying to St Olave's Grammar School for Year 7 entry take the school's own Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in the September of Year 6. This consists of questions in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Candidates are then shortlisted for second-stage tests in English and maths.
5. Pate's Grammar School
© patesgs.org
Pate's Grammar School is a mixed-sex school with academy status founded in 1574 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The Times named it 'State Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest for Academic Excellence 2025'.
The Pate's school community has a shared vision of 'Nurturing Excellence' through 'Embracing Challenge', 'Supporting Each Other' and 'Shaping the Future'. The school is proud of its exceptional pastoral care of both students and staff and outlines its focus on relationships and respect, rather than rules, in its 2025 vision.
Entry to Pate's Grammar School
Students hoping to join Pate's Grammar School in Year 7 will take the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Test in Year 6. Candidates take two papers which include questions in reading comprehension, vocabulary, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.
6. The Tiffin Girls' School
© tiffingirls.org
The Tiffin Girls' School is an all-girls selective school in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London. It is the sister school to the boys-only Tiffin School, which was established in the 17th century.
The school's vision is to provide 'an intellectually stimulating and outward-facing school, enabling students to flourish and contribute to society.' The Tiffin Girls' School excels in its provision of community outreach and charitable initiatives and in 2016, the school was a local winner of the Pupil Premium Awards due to its attainment and value-added progress of disadvantaged students.
Entry to The Tiffin Girls' School
Girls who are hoping to secure a place in Year 7 at The Tiffin Girls' School take a two-stage entrance exam in the year before entry. The first stage consists of English and maths tests set by GL Assessment and the second stage consists of English and maths papers written by the school.
7. Colchester Royal Grammar School
© academicadvisors.com
Colchester Royal Grammar School is a boys' grammar school in the city of Colchester, Essex. It was founded in 1206, making it one of the oldest schools in the country, and was granted Royal Charters from both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Unusually for state schools, boarding is available for sixth formers.
The Times named the school 'State Secondary School of the Year in East Anglia for Academic Excellence 2025'. The school is praised for its impressive facilities, exam results, and extensive extracurricular programme.
Entry to Colchester Royal Grammar School
Boys applying for Year 7 entry to Colchester Royal Grammar School take the CSSE 11 plus exam. There are two written papers – both set by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex – which assess English and maths.
8. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
© aggs.bright-futures.co.uk
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (commonly abbreviated as AGGS) is a girls' grammar school in Bowdon, Greater Manchester. It was established in 1910 as part of the 1902 Education Act, which aimed to build new schools with enhanced education for girls. With over 1,300 students on roll, it is the largest single-sex grammar school in England.
AGGS was one of the first schools in the country to be designated a National Teaching School, and it leads in many subjects including maths, science, PSHE and modern foreign languages. The school is a member of the Bright Futures Educational Trust.
The Times named it 'State Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for Academic Excellence 2025'.
Entry to Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Girls hoping to secure a place in Year 7 at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls take entrance exams which assess skills in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.
9. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
(c) kegs.org.uk
King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Chelmsford. It was founded in 1551 through a royal warrant from King Edward VI. The school is known for its strong focus on academic achievement and a serious work ethic.
Beyond the classroom, pupils have access to a huge range of extracurricular opportunities. There are several orchestras, choirs and ensembles, and sports are played at local and national levels. Pupils can also get involved in the CCF or the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Entry to King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Boys applying for Year 7 entry to King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford take an 11 plus exam set by the CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex). This consists of an English paper (reading comprehension and creative writing) and a maths paper.
10. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
(c) kechg.org.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is a girls' grammar school in Kings Heath. The school shares a campus with its brother school, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys. It's regularly ranked within the top state schools in the country for both GCSE and A level results.
The Times awarded the school the titles 'State Secondary School of the Year 2025' and 'State Secondary School of the Year in the West Midlands for Academic Excellence 2025'.
Entry to King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Girls applying for Year 7 entry to King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls take the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus in September in Year 6. This consists of two one-hour papers which are divided into smaller, individually-timed sections. They test English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
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